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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
VETOED
federal nullification; Mexican wolf; reintroduction
Purpose
Prohibits the state, any agency or political subdivision of Arizona and any employee of Arizona or an agency or political subdivision of Arizona acting in the employee's official capacity from using any personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer or cooperate with the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program under the Endangered Species Act.
Background
The Mexican wolf has been protected as an endangered subspecies of gray wolf since 1976 under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Following the near extinction of the Mexican wolf, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Mexico and partner agencies initiated a binational captive breeding program and began efforts to reestablish Mexican wolves in the wild in the United States in 1998. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has entered a memorandum of understanding between the USFWS and several other federal, state and tribal agencies for the primary purpose of establishing a framework to exchange views, information or advice relating to the management or implementation of reestablishing a viable population of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico within the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area to contribute to the long-term conservation and recovery of the Mexican wolf (USFWS: Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan and Memorandum of Understanding).
The Livestock Loss Board (Board) was established to address wolf depredation on livestock operations. The Board must establish and implement procedures to compensate landowners, lessees or livestock operators for wolf depredation on livestock and complete various other statutorily outlined duties. The Board may also coordinate with state and federal wildlife agencies to verify wolf depredation on livestock (A.R.S. § 17-492).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits the state, any agency or political subdivision of Arizona and any employee of Arizona or an agency or political subdivision of Arizona acting in the employee's official capacity from using any personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer or cooperate with the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program under the Endangered Species Act.
2. Specifies that the prohibition does not apply to the Livestock Loss Program that is administered and enforced by the Board.
3. Contains a statement of legislative findings.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Governor's Veto Message
The Governor indicates in her veto message that H.B. 2787 broadly restricts how Arizona can respond to the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program.